The Dressmaker and the Actress

James Smith, 1859
 

That God is the hearer and the answerer of prayer, is very generally admitted. Yet it is one thing to acknowledge this truth in the general, and another to prove it in our own personal experience. I have just received, in a letter from New York, a very striking case of the power of prayer, and of the way in which God at times proves the consistency of His poor children. It was related at the Fulton Street prayer-meeting, and thus communicated by a godly man who was present.

He says, "I went down to the Fulton Street noon-day prayer-meeting yesterday — such seasons of blessedness are not often mine to enjoy — but I was more than repaid for going there. A very remarkable example of simple faith and fidelity, in the person of a poor dressmaker, was related — and you can easily believe that there was not a dry eye in the place.

"It seems she had been a long time out of employment, and being brought down to her last shifts, she betook herself to prayer, asking that He who condescended to care for her soul, would now in her extremity care for her poor body, and send her some employment before the day was out. About ten o'clock in the morning her prayer was answered, but in such a way as only brought her perplexity and trial.

"An actress, about to fill a new and closely approaching engagement, bringing with her the materials for her new costumes, entered her apartment, and soliciting her attention, began to give instructions as to the making of her costumes. The dressmaker, being exceedingly conscientious as to the purposes for which they would be used, was undecided in her reply. Finally, she told the actress that if she would wait a few minutes, to enable her to consult her Father, she would give her a positive answer. And then and there, in her presence, she bowed her knees, and in audible words addressed the throne of grace.

"In a few moments the astonished actress was struck with conviction and cried out 'lost! lost!' She flung herself on her knees beside the other in great agony of mind. The result was, the order was rescinded, her resolution fixed, never more to appear on the stage, and the engagement consequently broken. In three weeks more — her soul was free, her spirit was rejoicing in God her Savior, and her name was enrolled among the followers of Jesus. It was also stated that legitimate employment offered itself before the day was out."

What a striking instance of the power of prayer! What an illustration of the Lord's Word, "Those who honor me, I will honor."

Reader, do you pray? Do you obtain answers to prayer? Have you a tender conscience, as this poor dressmaker had, who feared to offend God, who habitually consulted the Lord, and who was not ashamed to ask for His direction and guidance before one who came to employ her? Her extremity, was God's opportunity. He tried her by poverty, He then put her principles to the test by the offer of questionable employment — and finding her faithful, He honored her in the conversion of the actress, and then gave her such employment as she needed and could approve.

Let the poor apply to the God of providence in their poverty. Let us all get and keep a tender conscience. Let us never be afraid to do the thing that is right, under any circumstances. Let us consult God in all doubtful cases, reading His Word, and applying at His throne. Let us never be ashamed to pray because our fellow-creatures are present. Nor let us imagine that God cannot or will not use us in the conversion of souls — because we are poor, illiterate, or hidden from public view.

If my reader is not a Christian, I must say, that what the actress felt — you must feel. You must feel that you are lost — or you will never seek a Savior. In every case where the Spirit of God works in the soul, He convinces of sin, warns of danger, awakens concern for salvation, brings the sinner upon his knees before God, and leads to the Lord Jesus Christ for life and peace.

Have you been so convinced? Have you been alarmed at your dangerous state as a sinner? Has your whole soul been filled with desires for salvation? Have you been brought upon your knees before God in private, to confess your sins, and cry for mercy? Have you fled to the Lord Jesus Christ for life and salvation?

If you have, you will be saved; but if you have not, we beseech you to think of your dangerous state, and before you do any other thing — go, fall upon your knees, and cry to God for mercy. There is salvation in the Lord Jesus for such as you. His precious blood will cleanse you from all sin. His Holy Spirit will sanctify your depraved nature, and fit you for Heaven.

In one word, seek to obtain the salvation that is in Christ — and you will be happy now and happy for evermore. God will be your Father; the Lord Jesus will be your Friend; the Holy Spirit will be your Comforter; and Heaven will be your everlasting home!